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Topeka police: Citizens pursuing burglars is risky

Official says life more important than protecting possessions

During a 48-hour stretch in early October, a handful of Topekans appeared to be anointing themselves honorary lawmen amid a rare set of circumstances in which two families interrupted burglaries and helped to apprehend the alleged intruders by giving chase.

The two suspected burglars ultimately were arrested by police and are due back in court Thursday for hearings. One of the men was brought to the ground by a victim and two neighbors, while the other eluded a pursuing victim before officers were able to nab him.

Capt. Brian Desch said the Topeka Police Department doesn’t have a policy regarding burglary victims running down intruders, but officials discourage people from trying to make an apprehension on their own. For every story where a burglar is caught, Desch said in a recent interview, there are an equal number that lead to residents suffering injuries or getting killed.

“In our view, no property is worth the price of a human life,” he said.

Desch acknowledges "there is some value" in following a burglar while relaying to dispatchers crucial information, but preferably from a safer distance to lessen the danger. Being an alert witness by providing a good description of an intruder and that person's direction of travel just might be the difference between an arrest and successful prosecution or a burglar roaming free on the streets.

“By no means are we suggesting you run somebody down,” Desch said. “If you can keep a safe distance and keep notifying dispatch of their whereabouts, that helps us tremendously.”

But some citizens will feel the urge to do more. Desch said police can’t tell people not to protect themselves or their property — statutorily Kansans may stand their ground — but he also pointed out the largest factor contributing to police obtaining an arrest in such a situation is getting officers to the scene quickly. That requires immediately calling authorities if a person senses suspicious activity, such as seeing lights on or a window ajar.

Police recommend that when interrupting a break-in, unless victims are physically confronted or threatened, people be the best witnesses they can while removing themselves from a potentially dangerous encounter.

“Burglars will do a lot once cornered in a house to try to get out,” Desch said.

■ On Oct. 3, Clint Mentzer and his 6-year-old son arrived home that evening in the 700 block of S.W. Vesper to find a man carrying out items. Mentzer ultimately chased the intruder through yards and over fences after questioning him. Mentzer was able to bring him down with the assistance of two neighbors. Police said the burglar attempted to swing a knife at Mentzer.

Blayne Blevins, 20, of Topeka, was the man caught by the homeowner and arrested by police. Prosecutors have charged him with aggravated assault, burglary, felony theft and two misdemeanor drug offenses.

■ On Oct. 5, Edil Castillo pulled up next to his house that evening in the 900 block of S.E. 10th with his long-time girlfriend and her 16-year-old nephew. Castillo flushed an intruder out of his home and pursued him, but not before police said the teenager was punched and had a handgun pointed at his face. Officers later arrested the suspected burglar after he had eluded Castillo in a lengthy chase.

That man has been identified as Tedfilo Gamez, 37, of Topeka. Gamez faces charges of two counts of aggravated assault, burglary, theft, battery, felony obstruction and two drug offenses, one of which is a felony.

The two instances don't lead Desch to believe Topekans are growing so fed up with property crime as to become reckless in an effort to try to curb it. Far more often residents first call authorities to report an intruder may be inside their home before acting in another way, he said. Police will arrive, clear the house and then go back in with the residents.

Burglars typically want to be in and out of a house in a matter of seconds without being seen, he said. A burglar who lingers is rare.

“By far that’s what usually happens,” Desch said. “It was kind of odd for these two to happen so close together.”

Crucial to being a good witness is making use of this era’s technology. Desch said most people have cell phones capable of taking video or photographs. Snap a quick picture of a suspicious vehicle and its license plate, he said, or shoot video if people come running out of a house.

There also is the old-fashion way of being a sharp witness — paying attention to the finer details of what a criminal is wearing and other such characteristics as gait or tattoos. Also, making note of dents, dings or other distinguishing characteristics of a vehicle can be an asset.

Desch said it may be helpful, as many cell phones have the capability as well, to record audio of your own thoughts and descriptions immediately. That way, he said, a person can play it back for officers 15 minutes later without trying to recall every tiny detail.

“If you get in the habit of doing it,” Desch said of a person being aware of their surroundings, “it becomes second nature and it works much better than being surprised all the time.”

In the Oct. 3 foiled burglary, the homeowner said the alleged intruder claimed he was a bail bondsman repossessing items.

In the Oct. 5 incident, a victim stared down the barrel of a handgun, police said, and the suspected burglar threatened another victim with the firearm.

In the first instance, Desch said criminals will invent all types of stories in an attempt to explain away their presence. It is when the victim begins to relax and engage in conversation that the intruder makes a break for it, he said.

The second instance is an example of when an outcome could have drastically shifted for the worse if the suspect had pulled the trigger, Desch said.

“We’d rather you call us and we’ll make sure your house is safe before you go into it,” he said.